Comedy
A bad sign
“Whoever invented the knock joke should get a no bell prize.” Paraprosdokians, puns and other turns of phrase no longer showcased at Willy Street gas station. Read more
No one does it like Frandu
Josh Heath sits down with Frandu, the comedian/poet/performance artist who has carved out a niche for himself on the Madison scene. Frandu is battling cancer, and not sure how long he has left. Read more
Nick Larson
Highly anticipated
Doug Benson, America’s highest comedian and podcaster, visits Comedy on State to record an episode of “Doug Loves Movies.” Read more
One man’s failure is this trio’s comedy gold
Josh Heath chats at length with the creators of “The Flop House” podcast. Catch them in a rare live appearance at Wisconsin Union Theater on Jan. 26. Read more
Charlie Powell
Minister of Silliness
International silly man and Monty Python co-founder John Cleese stops by Overture Hall with his “Why There Is No Hope” tour. You can ask him questions, just like Michael Muckian did. Read more
How do you solve a problem like Maria?
Maria Bamford, whose no-holds-barred comedy tackles sexism, consumerism and mental illness, talks about her pugs, her loving parents and bringing it all to the table in her stand-up act. Read more
Coming attractions
When it comes to the arts, Madison keeps upping the ante. Our arts writers help you narrow it down with their picks for the most promising events in theater, comedy, dance, visual art and classical music. Read more
Marcus Price
Keeping it real
Hannibal Buress, whose star is rising in Hollywood, takes a step back to focus on his first love: stand-up. Isthmus talks to Buress about making TV specials and being himself on stage. Read more
Anneliese Nappa
Aunty Donna: Big Boys, bigger personalities
This interview with Australian absurdist comedians Aunty Donny goes way off the rails. Why didn’t we see that one coming? Read more
The Onion’s Madison roots are showing
The Onion left Madison almost two decades ago. But a retrospective of the company shows it owes a lot to its Madison years. Read more
Cara Howe / Netflix
Who’s afraid of Michelle Wolf?
Her brilliant savagery at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner put Michelle Wolf into the spotlight. Her new Netflix show is going to keep her there. Read more
Funny stuff
Local and national comedians get to strut their stuff at the inaugural Madison Comedy Week, May 27-June 3 at 22 different Madison venues. Read more
Relatable anti-racist
Hari Kondabolu brings a personal approach to hot-button issues like race and colonialism. He’s at the Comedy Club on State April 19-21. Read more
Holy cow, it’s Charlie!
Charlie Berens’ podcast “Da Manitowoc Minute” is attracting loads of fans from around the world. Isthmus talks to Berens in advance of his appearance at Wisconsin Union Theater on Jan. 26. Read more
Joan Marcus
Finding hope and solace through art
Isthmus arts and culture editor Catherine Capellaro looks back at a year where she found hope and faith in humanity through art. Read more
Mindy Tucker
Broad + Dope = Yaaas
One got her start as a web series star on YouTube. The other launched her career from blogging and podcasts. Now these two dope queens are touring the country together, celebrating female friendship and making people laugh. Read more
Female voices amplified
Local comedian Dina Nina Martinez is building on the success of last year’s Lady Laughs Comedy Festival, bringing the event back Nov. 2-5 with more than triple the acts. Read more
Robyn Von Swank
The queer revolution will (hopefully) be televised
Married standup comedians Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher are helping bring LGBTQ narratives into the mainstream. And their comedy is inseparable from their activism. Read more
Better when fresh
Andy Moore talks to award-winning writer, director and comedian Mike Birbiglia about his brand new comedy tour, “The New One.” Birbiglia will be at the Overture Center on Sept. 22. Read more
Maron matured
It may have taken him years to find an audience, but comedian Marc Maron says he's never been funnier. The host of the hit WTF podcast is coming to Madison on April 28 for a show at the Orpheum. Read more
